Get outdoors with activities at 3 state parks
The three state parks in and just outside of Butler County provide plenty of things to do outdoors this summer.
Moraine State ParkAt Moraine, family fishing programs will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. July 12 and 26 and Aug. 9 at the Bear Run boat launch on the South Shore. The program will discuss rigging a fishing rod, knot tying, and different types of bait, casting and rules.Fishing licenses are not required, and equipment will be provided. Participants must register at 724-368-3612.Along the same lines, a Fish for Free Day will be held from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. July 4. These events allow anyone without a fishing license to fish.Historic oil well operations will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 12, Aug. 9 and Sept. 13. These events allow people to see a restored, antique oil well operate. The well is along Park Road off Route 528.This Friday, Fireflies!, a program about counting and observing lightning bugs, will be held from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at the Lakeview Beach Picnic area, pavilion 4, on the park's North Shore.On Saturday, “Purple Martins and Bluebirds — Up Close” will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at McDanel's Launch on the North Shore. Members of the Bluebird Society of PA will discuss cavity nesting birds.On July 25 at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Route 528, a program called “Bats in Action” will feature the park's naturalist discussing bats and reporting bat activities from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Participants should take blankets, chairs and bug protection.The annual Lake Arthur Regatta will be from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 2 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 3. Admission and parking will be free. This year, East Wing Events will organize the event for the first time, offering more activities.A variety of kayaking and other boating programs will take place during the summer. They tend to fill up quickly, however. For schedules, registration and more information, visit www.apps.dcnr.state.pa.us/Calendar/list.asp?ICSORG=6210.
<B>McConnells Mill State Park</B>At McConnells Mill, a Fish for Free day will be held July 4 just like at Moraine.“The Night Critters of Hells Hollow,” a hike meant to feature bats, owls, foxes and other nocturnal creatures, will be held from 8:30 to 10 p.m. July 2. Participants should take a flashlight, wear sturdy shoes and meet at the Hell's Hollow parking lot.“The Hemlocks of Hells Hollow,” an easy hiking program where the hemlock tree will be discussed, will be from 1 to 3 p.m. July 5. Participants should meet at the Hell's Hollow parking lot, dress for the weather, take water and wear sturdy shoes.A cooking program, “A Taste of History: Dutch Oven Cooking,” will be held July 13, Aug. 10 and Sept. 14 from noon to 3:30 p.m. The program at the gristmill will demonstrate and allow people to sample Native American and pioneer food items.Additionally, the historic gristmill is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Oct. 26, and interpretive tours are offered Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 3 p.m.For more information on events at McConnells Mill, visit www.apps.dcnr.state.pa.us/Calendar/list.asp?ICSORG=6209.<B>Jennings Environmental Education Center</B>Over at Jennings, a prairie walk will be held at 7 p.m. July 16. A staff member will discuss the different wildflowers and the history of the prairie during the walk.Later that week, on July 19 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., the second annual Celebrate the Bloom! event will take place. The event is designed to show off the prairie and also will feature music, food, walks and children's programs.For more information on events at Jennings, visit www.apps.dcnr.state.pa.us/Calendar/list.asp?ICSORG=6203.
